Mac mini 2014 monitor dilema - UHD vs QHD

[vddobrev]

I am re-purposing my Mac mini 2014 that is currently connected to my 4K TV for media use to a backup work station setup and I am debating what monitor to get. Can anyone offer advise from their own experience on choosing one of the two listed monitors below? I can get them for the same price.

I am trying to answer my own dilemma below, but what would you rather do - run 1440p native 1:1 on the Apple Thunderbolt Display, or 1440 scaled (HiDPI mode) on the Dell P2715Q?

1. Apple Thunderbolt Display 27" - used in perfect condition.
Pros: 1440 1:1 @ 60Hz; brighter than the Dell - 375 cd/m2; native support for brightness control from keyboard; auto brightness via ambient light sensor, internal speakers and camera
Cons: only 1440 (I am spoiled by 5K on iMac) and pixels will be visible; no warranty.

2. Dell P2715Q - new.
Pros: UHD, warranty, newer technology;
Cons: Dimmer than Apple Thunderbolt display - 350 cd/m2; no auto-brightness, no speakers, no camera; 1080 HiDPI mode has less real estate than 1440; only 30Hz supported on Mac mini. Not sure how 1440 scaled will look.

 

[casperes1996]

1440 scaled looks alright. It's essentially what the new MacBook Pros do actually. Their displays are 2880x1800, but they run 1650x1050 instead of the older retinas' resolution of 1440x900

I'd go for the Dell, but personally, I would never have the display that bright (my iMac is always set to one of the first four brightness ticks), I don't care for internal speakers as I have nice speakers, I don't care for the mic or the camera as again, I have external equipment.
And pixel density just matters a fair bit to me... But one other, very important factor - do you know how accurate the colours are on the Dell? Cause that could change the whole argument for me. The Apple display hits sRGB really nicely.

 

[vddobrev]

1440 scaled looks alright. It's essentially what the new MacBook Pros do actually. Their displays are 2880x1800, but they run 1650x1050 instead of the older retinas' resolution of 1440x900

Well, at this point I am not even sure if the Mac mini can do 1440 scaled or I will be limited to the 1080 pixel-doubled. If anyone has tried it, please share.

I'd go for the Dell, but personally, I would never have the display that bright (my iMac is always set to one of the first four brightness ticks), I don't care for internal speakers as I have nice speakers, I don't care for the mic or the camera as again, I have external equipment.

Yes agreed, my iMac never goes above 50% brightness, but only early morning when the sun hits the room directly, it cranks up to close to 100%, and it is OK to use. It will be a secondary workstation, so the built-in speakers/camera are a good and needed bonus.

And pixel density just matters a fair bit to me... But one other, very important factor - do you know how accurate the colours are on the Dell? Cause that could change the whole argument for me. The Apple display hits sRGB really nicely.

Same here, pixel density is important, but not at the expense of other qualities, like colour and brightness. The P2715Q has very good review. From own experience (I've had Dell monitors before) sRGB is pretty good on Dell. On the other hand, I am pretty used to the glossy screens of iMac and MacBook Pro, I don't know how good the P2715Q anti-glare coating is...

 

[casperes1996]

Yes agreed, my iMac never goes above 50% brightness, but only early morning when the sun hits the room directly, it cranks up to close to 100%, and it is OK to use. It will be a secondary workstation, so the built-in speakers/camera are a good and needed bonus.

When I think workstation, I don't think built-in speakers/cam I must admit. I think dedicated equipment. But it's probably the same symptom that has morphed the meaning of pro. You're a pro if you make money with what you do, yet pro is assumed to mean that you need 18 cores for your After Effects.

Well, at this point I am not even sure if the Mac mini can do 1440 scaled or I will be limited to the 1080 pixel-doubled. If anyone has tried it, please share.

I don't see why you'd be limited in that aspect. The output the computer would need to do would be the same. It'd need to do a slight bit more work on the signal before it sends it to the display, but I don't think it'll be too problematic. Of course the 30hz thing is also something I forgot to consider in my last post. I think that'd probably be what I'd have the biggest struggle with. I mean, I'm not one of those people who're 60FPS or bust that you mostly see on game forums, but depending on the interaction methods it could be annoying to be limited to 30hz, and with a computer like this that interaction method can be very many things and change a lot.

Same here, pixel density is important, but not at the expense of other qualities, like colour and brightness. The P2715Q has very good review. From own experience (I've had Dell monitors before) sRGB is pretty good on Dell. On the other hand, I am pretty used to the glossy screens of iMac and MacBook Pro, I don't know how good the P2715Q anti-glare coating is...

Yeah - seeing as you've stated your display will at times be in direct sunlight (at least if it's similarly placed to the aforementioned iMac), the anti-glare coating could be a rather important aspect. Only personally have experience with Apple and LG displays though, so can't really comment any further on that one.

 

[Fishrrman]

The Apple Thunderbolt display is just "getting too old".
Get something newer.
It might be the Dell.
It could be something else.

 

[vddobrev]

@casperes1996 - Well, think of "workstation" as work place . I am one of these pros that do not need a 18 core, I don't do video, so I don't need a dual pro video card. I make my living from software development and database modelling, I simply need good resolution/colour (light Adobe PS for some icons) and screen real estate.
[doublepost=1516632300][/doublepost]

The Apple Thunderbolt display is just "getting too old".
Get something newer.
It might be the Dell.
It could be something else.

Well, to me new does not mean better... I am pretty ok with old if it has good image, brightness and contrast ratio.
But in general you are right, there are newer displays with better resolution.

 

[casperes1996]

Well, to me new does not mean better... I am pretty ok with old if it has good image, brightness and contrast ratio.
But in general you are right, there are newer displays with better resolution.

Displays also age much slower than a lot of other technologies.

@casperes1996 - Well, think of "workstation" as work place . I am one of these pros that do not need a 18 core, I don't do video, so I don't need a dual pro video card. I make my living from software development and database modelling, I simply need good resolution/colour (light Adobe PS for some icons) and screen real estate.

Sure. As I said, the word pro in computing has gotten a bit screwed over, as meaning Xeon W and Quadro/FirePro(Radeon Pro) with super many cores and whatnot. I get why, but it's of course not nearly all who're professionals who need that

Although I must admit, I sometimes think code compilation takes too long on my iMac, and it's not exactly the most complicated projects I work on, as I'm still learning. Though granted, I may just be a bit spoiled at this point .
If looking at code and other text is something you do a lot though, I'd even more so say that the higher resolution is more valuable. I personally notice the pixels less when it comes to images, and especially movement than when looking at text.

 

[vddobrev]

Although I must admit, I sometimes think code compilation takes too long on my iMac, and it's not exactly the most complicated projects I work on, as I'm still learning. Though granted, I may just be a bit spoiled at this point .

Well, I am OK with the compilation speeds of my iMac 4 core. I expect it will be slower on the Mac mini, and I am OK with this.

If looking at code and other text is something you do a lot though, I'd even more so say that the higher resolution is more valuable. I personally notice the pixels less when it comes to images, and especially movement than when looking at text.

Exactly why I started this topic. I look at code 90% of the time, and I am spoiled by 5K iMac. Haven't looked at non-retina display in an year and a half, hence my doubt about 2560 x 1440 native. On the other hand, this secondary work place (that will be at home) will probably get used only 10-15% of the time. My iMac in the office will still be the primary work place.

 

[casperes1996]

Well, I am OK with the compilation speeds of my iMac 4 core. I expect it will be slower on the Mac mini, and I am OK with this.

What compiler / IDE do you use? In fact, it may not just be compilation that I find slow, since using a command line tool like gcc seems fast enough for me, but when I click run in Xcode it seems to take fairly long, so maybe something else, like Xcode's indexing.

Exactly why I started this topic. I look at code 90% of the time, and I am spoiled by 5K iMac. Haven't looked at non-retina display in an year and a half, hence my doubt about 2560 x 1440 native. On the other hand, this secondary work place (that will be at home) will probably get used only 10-15% of the time. My iMac in the office will still be the primary work place.

Yeah - since price wasn't a concern in your original post though, I'll say the Dell

 

[vddobrev]

What compiler / IDE do you use? In fact, it may not just be compilation that I find slow, since using a command line tool like gcc seems fast enough for me, but when I click run in Xcode it seems to take fairly long, so maybe something else, like Xcode's indexing.

Yeah - since price wasn't a concern in your original post though, I'll say the Dell

I am entirely into the Java world, also SQL and PL/SQL. I specialise in Oracle DB and Oracle ADF, and I use Oracle tools exclusively - JDeveloper and SQLDeveloper.

Price is not a concern, only concern is if Mac mini can do 1440 scaled in HiDPI mode. Currently connected to 4K TV via HDMI, there is no such option...

 

[casperes1996]

Price is not a concern, only concern is if Mac mini can do 1440 scaled in HiDPI mode. Currently connected to 4K TV via HDMI, there is no such option...

I think the scaling options are dependant on the EDID the display sends back, and a lot of HDMI stuff doesn't work properly in that aspect.
But just to be sure it's not just software, what OS are you on and have you tried option-clicking the dial for scaling in System Preferences (gives more resolution options)

 

[bopajuice]

Well, at this point I am not even sure if the Mac mini can do 1440 scaled or I will be limited to the 1080 pixel-doubled. If anyone has tried it, please share.


Yes agreed, my iMac never goes above 50% brightness, but only early morning when the sun hits the room directly, it cranks up to close to 100%, and it is OK to use. It will be a secondary workstation, so the built-in speakers/camera are a good and needed bonus.


Same here, pixel density is important, but not at the expense of other qualities, like colour and brightness. The P2715Q has very good review. From own experience (I've had Dell monitors before) sRGB is pretty good on Dell. On the other hand, I am pretty used to the glossy screens of iMac and MacBook Pro, I don't know how good the P2715Q anti-glare coating is...

I have a 2014 Mini middle of the road, running a Samsung 28", 4K UHD Monitor and it runs by default scaled at 2560x1440. Thats the best I can do.

 

[vddobrev]

I think the scaling options are dependant on the EDID the display sends back, and a lot of HDMI stuff doesn't work properly in that aspect.
But just to be sure it's not just software, what OS are you on and have you tried option-clicking the dial for scaling in System Preferences (gives more resolution options)

Latest High Sierra, and tried option-click, 1440 is not there in any variance.

I have a 2014 Mini middle of the road, running a Samsung 28", 4K UHD Monitor and it runs by default scaled at 2560x1440. Thats the best I can do.

Thanks, and this is not the 2560x1440 (low resolution) mode, but the HiDPI, correct? Also what refresh rate, I am guessing 30? And lastly, please share how does it look - is it sharp?

 

[casperes1996]

Latest High Sierra, and tried option-click, 1440 is not there in any variance.

Expected as much - Again, it also relies on the screen sending a proper EDID profile to the Mac. (renamed Display ID in the newest specifications of Display Port)

 

[bopajuice]

Latest High Sierra, and tried option-click, 1440 is not there in any variance.



Thanks, and this is not the 2560x1440 (low resolution) mode, but the HiDPI, correct? Also what refresh rate, I am guessing 30? And lastly, please share how does it look - is it sharp?

You are correct. I am using the Mini DisplayPort connection so I am getting 60hz. I don’t think you will get 60hz via hdmi. Using the Mini displayport connection is key. To be honest the picture is OK. I was using the same monitor and connection with an early 2015 mba before I bought the mini. I thought the picture coming from the Air was better.

 

[casperes1996]

You are correct. I am using the Mini DisplayPort connection so I am getting 60hz. To be honest the picture is OK. I was using the same monitor and connection with an early 2015 mba before I bought the mini. I thought the picture coming from the Air was better.

That seems extremely weird. There should be no difference in the signal sent assuming same settings

 

[vddobrev]

You are correct. I am using the Mini DisplayPort connection so I am getting 60hz. I don’t think you will get 60hz via hdmi. Using the Mini displayport connection is key. To be honest the picture is OK. I was using the same monitor and connection with an early 2015 mba before I bought the mini. I thought the picture coming from the Air was better.

Thanks! This is really a nice surprise if it really is 60Hz, I thought only 30 was possible at UHD.

 

[bopajuice]

Thanks! This is really a nice surprise if it really is 60Hz, I thought only 30 was possible at UHD.

Just to be sure I checked the monitor system preferences. Here is what it says:

[doublepost=1516681814][/doublepost]

That seems extremely weird. There should be no difference in the signal sent assuming same settings

Here is some good info from Apple about the connections on a 2014 Mini.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204292

 

[vddobrev]

@bopajuice - thank you very much, appreciated.

 

[vddobrev]

Thanks to all that contributed. I ordered the Dell P2715Q, will be here tomorrow. I will share my impressions.

 

[casperes1996]

Just to be sure I checked the monitor system preferences. Here is what it says:

Hold on. That looks like your screen is just running 1440p and not 1440p*1.5 scaled.

That would also explain why you don't think it looks as good.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204292

I don't know what you want me to look at
[doublepost=1516717180][/doublepost]

Thanks to all that contributed. I ordered the Dell P2715Q, will be here tomorrow. I will share my impressions.

Looks to me like @bopajuice's display does in fact run in the 2560x1440 (low resolution) mode
[doublepost=1516717260][/doublepost]

Here is some good info from Apple about the connections on a 2014 Mini.

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204292

In fact the info here states exact that you can't have UHD at 60hz

 

[bopajuice]

Hold on. That looks like your screen is just running 1440p and not 1440p*1.5 scaled.

That would also explain why you don't think it looks as good.


I don't know what you want me to look at
[doublepost=1516717180][/doublepost]

Looks to me like @bopajuice's display does in fact run in the 2560x1440 (low resolution) mode
[doublepost=1516717260][/doublepost]


In fact the info here states exact that you can't have UHD at 60hz

Maybe you know more than I do. I have found in the past if it is running in low res it will say (low resolution). Mine does not. How can I verify what my monitor is running at?

I also found another thread that talks about this very issue.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/mac-mini-2560x1440.1962656/

What I wanted you to look at in the other link I sent was that resolutions vary depending on the cable and connection you use.

 

[casperes1996]

Maybe you know more than I do. I have found in the past if it is running in low res it will say (low resolution). Mine does not. How can I verify what my monitor is running at?

It'll only do that if it both allows that resolution in scaled and native signalling modes. Based on the options you're seeing it doesn't even look like you're Mac is recognising the display as a high-DPI panel, so therefore all options you see would be native signals if my assumption is correct, and not a scaled signal that still uses all the pixels.
What does System Information show about your display?

Writing the following to Terminal enables more resolutions in the Display menu
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver.plist DisplayResolutionEnabled -bool true

The above automatically should set itself to true if it detects a hi-DPI screen. Write it true if it's not and see if it changes anything

 

[vddobrev]

The best way to check if you are in HiDPI mode is to take a screenshot (command + shift + 3) and then open the image in Adobe Photoshop and check the image size. @bopajuice can you please do this and let us know.

If the image is 2560 x 1440 then this is low resolution.

 

[casperes1996]

The best way to check if you are in HiDPI mode is to take a screenshot (command + shift + 3) and then open the image in Adobe Photoshop and check the image size. @bopajuice can you please do this and let us know.

That's a really good way of doing it I didn't even think about. Finder's Get Info should do the trick too though. No reason to open Photoshop.